Graduate Spotlight: Cara Allen

Cara Allen is not only completing her Associate in Arts degree but also wrapping up her term as the President of CFCC’s Student Government Association, where she worked closely with students, faculty, and staff to make positive changes on campus.

Now, she’s off to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in the fall to dive into political science and philosophy. Cara’s future is promising, with her sights set on law school and dreams of becoming a state prosecutor. Let’s celebrate Cara’s accomplishments and cheer her on as she takes the next big step in her journey!

WHERE ARE YOU FROM ORIGINALLY?

I am originally from Falls Church, Virginia, but I have lived in Wilmington since I was five years old. I LOVE living by the beach!

WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO ENROLL AT CFCC, AND HOW DID IT ALIGN WITH YOUR GOALS?

I decided to dual enroll at CFCC while I was being homeschooled in high school because I knew I wanted to get my general education classes out of the way while still being able to be around my friends and family. I also wanted to be able to explore some of the various subject areas that interested me without having to fully commit to any of them yet.

CAN YOU SHARE SOME HIGHLIGHTS OF YOUR EXPERIENCE AT CFCC?

Being a student at Cape Fear Community College was one of the best choices I could’ve made. It gave me the opportunity to get college experience while still finishing high school, and a classical education coupled with college-level coursework made for a rigorous and fascinating combination.

I graduated high school in June 2023 and stayed at CFCC to finish my Associate in Arts while working part-time at a local law firm as a legal assistant. I was elected as the president of the Student Government Association and served in that role for the 2023-24 school year, which has been nothing but enjoyable. I had the opportunity to serve alongside fellow students, incredible faculty, staff, and even President Morton and the Board of Trustees. I made connections with local leaders in business and politics, and I hopefully was able to help change the campus for the better during my term.

DID YOU HAVE A FAVORITE CLASS OR INSTRUCTOR DURING YOUR TIME HERE?

I have nothing but respect and gratitude for the professors at CFCC, and I owe a lot of my success to the kind mentorship of John Metzger, the SGA advisor. I enjoyed all of my philosophy, political science, and history classes so much.

As far as favorite professors, I cannot choose just one. I took three philosophy classes with Dr. Eric Brandon, which were some of my all-time favorites. His lecture style is engaging and enlightening, and I feel like I definitely grew as a person under his leadership.

I was also in three of Dr. Gregory Arey’s courses for both political science and history. He definitely made me more of a nerd than I already was with his extensive wealth of knowledge.

Madame Caroline Hudson was my French professor for three semesters, and she never failed to encourage and support me – even throwing me a mini party in class when I got elected to SGA.

And last but most definitely not least was Mr. Nelson Beaulieu, who taught one of my political science classes. I probably looked forward to his class the most every week because it was always an engaging conversation with endless witty remarks. He brought an unmatched level of passion to every class. He inspired me constantly, as well as giving me opportunities like speaking in a collegiate debate and serving on a faculty committee about AI.

WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS POST-GRADUATION?

After graduation, I will be headed to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill to continue my studies in political science and philosophy. Then, I will be studying law with the hope of becoming a state prosecutor!

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU OFFER TO INDIVIDUALS CONSIDERING CFCC FOR THEIR STUDIES?

Come to CFCC! We have so many different opportunities that you can tailor to your unique needs and experiences. I would always recommend getting as involved on campus as possible, whether with SGA, PTK, or another club/organization, because you’ll get as much out of it as you put in.

Also, establish good relationships with your professors and classmates! I’ve ended up having several classes with some of the same people, and it’s so worthwhile to have peers you can count on and mentors to help you through the process of college, both at CFCC and beyond. The professors I mentioned have been some of my best mentors and supporters for the last three years, and sometimes all it takes is talking to them after class for a few minutes!

DO YOU HAVE ANY FINAL THOUGHTS OR COMMENTS YOU WISH TO SHARE?

Thank you to everyone at Cape Fear Community College, from my peers to my professors to President Morton and the Board, for their unwavering support over the past few years. I have been honored to study, serve, and lead in such an encouraging and caring community. I will honestly miss this, but I’m excited about what God has for me next!